Rotary elastic-fluid engine.



W. H. SEDDON.

ROTARY ELAS-TIC FLUlD ENGINE.

APPLlCATlON FiLED MAR. 31,1917- L231A87 Patented June 26, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1- W. H. SEDDON. ROTARY ELASTIC FLUID ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3!.1917;

Patnted June 26, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. H. SEDDON.

ROTARY ELASTIC FLUID ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED MAIL-31.1917.

1,23 1,437 Patented June 26, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- w. H. 550mm.

ROTARY ELASTIC FLUID ENGINE.

APPLICATlON FILED MAR. 3|. I917.

1,231,437., Patented June 26, 1917.

4'SHEETSSHEET 4.

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WILLIAM HERBERT SEDIDON, OF PAINSWICK, ENGLAND..

ROTARY ELASTIC-FLUID ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed [March 31, 1917. Serial No. 159,038.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM HERBERT SnnDoN, a subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, residing at Painswick, Gloucestershire, England, clerk in Holy Orders, have invented certain Improvements in or Relating to Rotary Elastic-Fluid Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary elastic are articulated to eccentric straps disposed one on each side of the rotating cylinder base, these eccentric straps having been coupled to the base by links in order that they may rotate therewith. In another previously proposed arrangement the pistons have been coupled to the inner ends of connecting rods which extend outwardly to an eccentric ring encircling the cylinders, and which ring has been coupled to rotate with the said cylinders by links or by an Oldham coupling.

A feature of my invention has reference to the method of coupling or connecting the eccentrically mounted element or elements with the cylinder base or cylinders. The methods heretofore proposed, such as by the use of connectinglinks or an Oldham coupling, have the disadvantage that the eccentrically related elements have a dilferential speed of rotation. That is to say, while they rotate at the same number of revolutions per minute, duringeach cycle of rotation there is a part or parts of that cycle during which one of the elements temporarily advances in relation to the other. According to the present invention I incorporate between the eccentrically related elements, gearing which is of such a character that the eccentrically related parts rotate not only at the same number of revolutions per minute, but also at the same peripheral speed throughout each cycle of rotation so that with one of the said elements rotating at an even and uniform speed, the other element is likewise constrained to rotate at this same even and uniform speed. In cases in which the construction involves eccentric straps disposed one on each side of the rotating, cylinder base, the present invention furthermore insures, in a particularly efficient manner, that the said eccentric straps rotate in unison.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into prac tice, reference may be had to the appended explanatory four sheets of drawings, upon Which:

Figure 1 illustrates in sectional elevation an engine according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates in side elevation the engine shown in Fig. 1.

3' illustrates in side sectional elevation, the engine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates in sectional elevation a modified engine according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates in side sectional elevation the engine shown in Fig, 4:.

In the drawings, a represents the hollow bearing for the main rotor b. The latter rigidly carries a number of cylinders 0 which may be disposed radially. Each cylinder 0 contains a piston (Z which may be furnished with a rigid piston rod 0; this piston rod 6 passes out of the cylinder and is suitably coupled to a transverse crosshead 7. The crosshead f is adapted to move in a radial path within guides g rigidly mounted in relation to the cylinders c. The

vguides g of the several cylinders may be coupled together by connecting members it so that the rotor 6, cylinders 0, guides g, and connecting members it together form a rigid rotary structure. When a lateral stress is being experienced by one or any of the guides 9, such guides are, by virtue of the connecting members h, supported and reinforced by the other guides which are not at the time experiencing the stress.

Coupled to, or rigidly mounted in relation to, the central or main bearing member a, are supplementary bearing members 2' disposed one on each side of the main bearing member. These bearing members 2' are eccentrically disposed in relation to the central bearing member, and each member 2' carries an annular revoluble member 3'. To each annular revoluble member j, all of the connecting rods 70 occurring on one side of the stationary bearing member.

charges in the several cylinders.

engine are coupled pivotally at their one extremities, the other extremities of such connecting rods 76 being pivotally connected to the respective crossheads f appertaining to the pistons (Z to which the said connecting rods 70 are related. The revoluble members j are adapted to rotate at the same number of revolutions per minute as the main rotor 12. For this purpose they are positively geared together. In the arrangement shown in the drawings, the main rotor 12 has rigidly secured to it at each side, an internally toothed ring l- These toothed rings Z gear with spur wheels on provided upon a shaft a which is rotatably mounted in the stationary bearing member a. The spur wheels m mesh with spur wheels 0 provided upon a second shaft 79 also revolubly mounted in the stationary bearing member a. The shaft 19 carries other spur wheels 9 which are in mesh with spur wheels 9' rigidly provided upon the revoluble members j. By this gear mechanism the revoluble members j are compelled to rotate in predetermined relationship with the main rotor 19, and the correctly timed operation of the pistons (Z within the cylinders c is thereby insured.

s is an axial conduit passing through one of the bearings 71 andadapted to provide for communication with the interior of the hollow bearing member (a. This hollow bearing member 41 contains two compartments y, z. 'The axial conduit 3 is sub-divided into two conduits, one of which communicates with each of the chambers y .2. Into the space fz explosive mixture is adapted to be introduced from any suitable source, and by any appropriate method, as for instance by use of a pump or blower. t is a port provided in the peripheral wall of the stationary bearing member c. Other ports a are provided in the main rotor Z) and adapted to successively register with the port If in the As each cylinder passes the port 6 in the stationary member, it is enabled to receive the explosive charge through its port to, the port If being appropriately positioned to provide for the ingress of this charge when the piston is in its outward position.

Any approved provision for firing the charge may be utilized. In the method shown in the drawing, a single sparkingplug 1) is utilized to successively fire the sparking-plug is mounted in the stationary bearing member at; its electrodes are disposed within a recess or depression to with which the ports a register. The depression w is disposed in such a position that each port u registers with it as the piston of such port to is in its inward position. When the parts are in these positions the plug '0 is adapted by any suitable commutator to spark, and thereby fire the charge. 2 is a This space within the hollow bearing member a, which space is isolated from the spaces y, z. This space 2 is open at one or both axial extremities thereby permitting of ready access being obtained to the sparking plug '0.

By way of the appropriate sub-division in the conduit 8, compressed air is admitted by any appropriate method to the space a. From this space .2 the said air is adapted to issue by way of a port 3 and as each port a in the rotor occupies a position contiguous radially inward extremities of the cylinders and flow radially outwardly in scavenging and charging said cylinders.

After the cylinder has been filled, and the containedcharge is trapped by reason of the passage of the cylinder beyond the port 25, compression takes place during the inward movement of the piston, this compression occurring around one-half of the cycle of revolution until the charge in its compressed condition is fired. The engine thus acts upon the two-stroke cycle principle.

The exhaust outlets 00 may communicate directly with the atmosphere, or they may communicate with an annular conduit having a common exhaust outlet. p

The engine may be installed in any suitable manner, and the power transmitted therefrom by any approved means. In the drawings the hollow ingress conduit .9 is

shown extended'beyond the rotary member 7 by which it is encircled, and this extended part of the conduit 8 may constitute the part by which the engine is supported or installed, as for instance upon an aeroplane, the body of the engine projecting in cantaliver formation. Provision (not shown) may, however, be incorporated if desired for supporting the main stationary member which the conduits occurs is shown fur-r nished with an extension 7' From this extension 3 the power may be taken in any suitable manner; the extension may for instance carry the propeller of an aeroplane;

The cylinders, instead of being disposed radially in relation to their axis of rotation may be disposed tangentially to a circle'of any suitable radius struck from their axis of rotation.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified construction of engine according to the present invention, in which the piston rods are dispensed with and the connecting rods 4 extend radially outwardly from the pistons 5 to an eccentrically disposed ring or member 6 encircling the cylinder. The connecting rods 4- are capable of a pivotal movement in relation to the pistons 5, and also in relation to the said ring or member 6, and said ring or member may, for instance, have spokes 7 extending inwardly to members 8 adapted to rotate about an axis eccentric with that of the cylinders. These-members 8 are equivalent to the members j in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, being in gear with the main rotor Z) by which the cylinders are carried by the incorporation of gearing similar to that already described. In other respects, the engine lllustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2

and 3.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination of a fixed structure havlng an outer bearing surface, an inner ring mounted to revolve on said bearing surface, an outer ring, cylinders fixed to said inner ring, pistons in said cylinders, links intermediate said pistons and said outer ring, a lateral projection extending from said fixed structure eccentrically thereof, a ring mounted to rotate on said projection, rigid connections between said last mentioned ring and said outer ring, an internal gear fixed to said internal ring, an external gear fixed to said ring on said projection, and gearing carried by said fixed structure cooperating with said internal and external gears for driving said lastmentioned rings and said outer rings with said inner rings.

2. The combination of a fixed structure having an outer bearing surface, an inner ring mounted to revolve on said bearing surface, an outer ring, cylinders fixed to said inner ring, pistons in said cylinders, links intermediate said pistons and said outer ring, a pair of lateral projections extending from said fixed structure eccentrically thereof, a

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the ring mounted to rotate on each of said projections, rigid connections between said lastmentioned rings and said outer rings, an internal gear fixed to said inner ring, an external gear fixed to each of the rings on said projectlons, spindles carried by said fixed structure extending from side to side thereof, and gearing on said spindles cooperating with said internal and said external gears for driving said last mentioned rings and said outer rings with said inner rings.

3. A rotary elastic fluid engine comprising in combination, a rotary cylinder base, cylinders on said base, pistons in said cylinders, an outer member encircling said cylinders, rods pivotally connected to said outer member and to said pistons, eccentrically disposed rotatable members one on each side or axial face of said cylinder base and to which said outer member is connected, a continuous gear on each axial face of said cylinder base, a continuous gear on each of said eccentrically disposed members, and gearing intermediate said gears on said base and said gears on said eccentrically disposed members whereby said eccentrically disposed members operate in unison with each other and in synchronism with said base.

4:. A rotary elastic fluid engine comprising a rotary cylinder base having a series of cylinders thereon, pistons in said cylinders, members disposed one on each side or axial face of said base and mounted to revolve on an axis eccentric with respect to said base, connections between said pistons and said eccentrically mounted members, a continuous gear on each side or axial face of said cylinder base, a continuous gear on each of said eccentrically mounted members, and gearing intermediate said gears on said base and said gears on said eccentrically mounted members whereby said eccentrically mounted members operate in unison with each other and in synchronism with said base.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HERBERT SEDDON.

l/Vitnesses:

E. G. MATTHEWS, J. S. YEOMANS.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

